“There’s something I want to follow up on first.”
She watched him for a moment. He really was a different man than she remembered. Back in the day, he was an easygoing life-of-the-party kind of guy, the first one to suggest social gatherings. Which was why she’d accused him of being hungover and not doing his due diligence in the op where Olin died.
But this guy sitting here, his face buried in his laptop? He was more somber. Not at all the person who jumped at going to lunch with the others and taking the time to get to know them better. She had to admit she was gaining respect for his dedication to the job. It was almost like he was driven by some unknown force to find these terrorists in much the same way she felt driven by Firuzeh’s death.
Maybe his intense focus was because of Kiley—he didn’tfeel comfortable with her around—and she should try to put him at ease more often.
No.She wasn’t here to bring back his playful smile that had tripped her heart any number of times since she’d known him. She was here to find terrorists. Only that. And to do it before the days raced by to 9/11.
Evan knew Kiley was watching him, wondering what he was doing, but he wouldn’t share unless he succeeded on his hunch. He’d tried to get information on the container suspects’ movements from his CIs but to no avail. However, he hadn’t tried the local police. While Cam had struck out with them, Evan had contacts at the department, so maybe he could get somewhere.
He grabbed his phone and called a Tacoma Police lieutenant he’d worked with on past investigations.
“Lieutenant Neighbors,” he answered.
“Evan Bowers.”
“Hey, Bowers.” He actually sounded glad to hear from Evan. “You working whatever’s going down at the port?”
“I am.”
“And let me guess. You need my help?”
Evan ignored the suspicion in the man’s tone. “We have two suspects who left the port on foot around eleven p.m. last Thursday. We know they didn’t catch a cab or rideshare, but we’re not sure if they hoofed it or were picked up by associates. Can you check your calls to see if your officers encountered them?”
“Hold on.” The sound of his fingers clicking over a keyboard came over the phone.
Evan resisted tapping his foot as he waited, but he felt this burning need to move. To take some physical action. To force a lead that they could act on. Despite time racing past, they only had a ton of questions and no answers.
“Hey, yeah,” Neighbors finally said. “I might have something here. Officer Pilcher talked to two guys on East 11th Street around that time. They were on foot.”
Evan jumped up and charged toward the local map on the wall. He ran his finger over the roads until he located 11th Street, a logical direction for their suspects to travel. “Tell me more.”
“Not much to tell. Two males wearing jeans, hoodies, and Mariners caps were stopped, but they seemed legit, so Pilcher let them move on.”
The description fit the container suspects, though it could also fit an unlimited number of men. “I’ll need to see Pilcher’s body-cam footage and interview him.”
“Not my sector, so I don’t have the clearance to show the video to you or even to bring Pilcher in for an interview.”
Evan slammed his fist into the wall, making Kiley jump. He took a breath and let it out. “I need you to get me access to Pilcher and his body-cam, or I’ll have to go the warrant route.”
“You call me for help and then threaten a warrant?” Neighbors’ voice rose. “Unbelievable.”
Evan felt bad for pushing the guy, but he wouldn’t back down. “This is a matter of national security, and I’ll threaten even more to get the information I need if I have to.”
“Okay, take it easy before you blow a gasket. I get it. I’ll go see my captain.”
Evan let out a silent breath. “Thanks. I owe you.”
“Yeah, you do, and you know I’ll collect.”
Evan disconnected and turned to find Kiley watching him.
“You got something?” she asked.
“Maybe.” Evan shared about his call.
“These could be our suspects.” Kiley came to her feet. “We need to question this officer right away and get a look at that body-cam footage.”
